Temperature sensing for controlling paving and compaction operations

ABSTRACT

A pavement temperature monitoring system ( 10 ) is used on paver vehicle ( 12 ) that is capable of forming a pavement material mat ( 11 ) upon abase surface ( 13 ), as paver vehicle ( 12 ) travels generally in a single direction. A temperature sensor ( 14 ) can be either a thermal imager, a thermal scanner, or a thermal imager operating in line “scan” mode. The temperature sensor ( 14 ) is mounted on a rear end ( 12   a ) of the paver vehicle ( 12 ) in such a way that the entire width of the formed mat can be scanned or imaged. A display device ( 16 ) is capable of receiving a plurality of electrical signals from the thermal scanner generating and displaying a graphical image ( 17 ) of the formed mat temperature profile.

This-application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/134,791 filed May 19, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to paver vehicles and compactor vehicles,and more specifically to systems for monitoring and controlling pavervehicles and compactor vehicles used for forming asphalt mats.

Paver vehicles or “pavers” capable of forming mats of material, such asasphalt, upon a base surface are well known. Such paver vehiclesbasically consist of a tractor and a screed assembly towed by thetractor. The tractor includes a tractor body and wheels and/or a pair ofcontinuous tracks mounted to the tractor body for mobilizing the tractorto travel upon a base surface. The tractor also generally includes anoperator station and a material hopper mounted to the front end of thetractor for holding a quantity of paving material. Further, a conveyorextends longitudinally between the hopper and the rear of the tractorand functions to transport paving material from the hopper to bedeposited off the rear of the tractor. A rotatable auger is mounted tothe rear of the tractor and operates to spread deposited paving materiallaterally across the base surface to form a head of paving material infront of the screed.

The screed assembly functions to level and compress the material head toform a continuous formed material mat on the base surface, generally inthe form of an elongated strip, as the tractor travels forwardly uponthe base surface. The screed assembly includes a main or primary screedand may include one or more extensions attached to the main screed,which may be fixed or extendable with respect to the main screed. Themain screed and any extensions each include an upper frame and a lowerscreed plate attached to the frame, the screed plate providing theworking surface for leveling (i.e., establishing formed material matthickness), and generally also compressing, the paving material into aformed material mat.

Typically, the screed assembly includes one or more vibrators mounted onthe upper surface of the screed plates which function to increase thecompression or compressive force applied by the screed plates to theformed material mat during the leveling operation. Certain pavervehicles, particularly those used in countries where “low speed” pavingis preferred, include one or more reciprocating tamper bar that aredisposed forwardly of the screed plates. The tamper bars function topre-compress the paving material prior to leveling by the screed plates.

In addition, many screed assemblies are provided with one or moremechanism(s) referred to as “screed assist device(s),” which includesone or more hydraulic cylinders having a first end connected with thetractor and a second end connected with the screed assembly. Thesescreed assist device(s) are used to raise and lower the screed assemblywith respect to the base surface, and can be operated so as to increaseor decrease the compressive force exerted by the screed plates on theformed material mat by appropriate vertical displacement of the entirescreed assembly (and thus also the screed plates).

Further, compactor vehicles or “compactors” are also well known.Typically, compactor vehicles used with asphalt material mats include avehicle body and a pair of drum members or “drums” rotatably mounted tothe body. Such compactor vehicles generally function by rolling oversections of the formed material mat such that the drums compact theformed material mat with every pass made over a particular section ofthe formed material mat, the drums also functioning to mobilize thecompactor vehicles. Typically, a vibratory mechanism is mounted withineach drum to increase the extent of formed material mat compaction madeby each pass of the drums. These vibratory mechanisms are generallyvariable in frequency and amplitude, variations in frequency enablingthe compactor to be effectively operated at different speeds andvariations in amplitude affecting the degree of compaction made by thedrums.

In a typical project for forming an asphalt mat, such as in roadwayconstructions, the paver vehicle forms a continuous mat of materialbehind the paver vehicle as the paver vehicle travels forwardly upon thebase surface. One or more compactor vehicles follow the paver vehicleand generally roll over all sections of the formed material mat untilthe formed material mat is compacted to a desired degree or extent.

Preferably, the formed material mat is formed such that the material iswithin a desired temperature band. If sections of the formed materialmat are at a lower than preferred temperature, compactor(s) may have tomake additional passes across these sections to ensure sufficientcompaction. On the other hand, if sections of the formed material matare at a higher than preferred temperature, compactor operators willhave to take caution to avoid over compacting these sections.

If would therefore be desirable to provide a system to monitor thetemperature of the formed material mat as the formed material mat isbeing formed such that the temperature information may be used by anoperator of a paver vehicle or a compactor vehicle to make appropriateadjustments to the operational parameters of the paver vehicle orcompaction vehicle. Further, it would be desirable to provide a systemfor readily identifying sections of a formed material mat that mayrequire additional compaction or sections of a formed material mat whereit may be necessary to compact with greater caution. Furthermore, itwould be desirable to provide a system for using formed sensed materialmat temperature information to automatically adjust paver vehicle orcompactor vehicle to provide an acceptable formed material mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention below, will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings, which are diagrammatic, embodiments that are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a temperature monitoring systemfor a paver vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow-chart diagram of one preferred configuration of thetemperature monitoring system;

FIG. 3 is a flow-chart diagram of another preferred configuration of thetemperature monitoring system;

FIG. 4 is a view of a thermal image and exemplary displays generated bythe temperature monitoring system;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a marking system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow-chart diagram of the marking system;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a paver vehicle having a pavervehicle control system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a broken-away front elevational view of a screed extensionhaving a vibrator device;

FIG. 9 is a flow-chart diagram of a preferred control method forcontrolling a vibrator and screed assist device;

FIG. 10 is a graph diagram depicting a predetermined relationshipbetween vibrator frequency and sensed formed material mat temperature;

FIG. 11 is a graph diagram illustrating a predetermined relationshipbetween screed assist device pressure and sensed formed material mattemperature;

FIG. 12 is a broken-away side elevational view of a screed assemblyhaving a tamper bar device;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic side plan view of a compactor having thetemperature monitoring system;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an indicator for the system shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart diagram of a compactor control system using thetemperature monitoring system; and

FIG. 16 is a view of a thermal image and exemplary display graphics asmay be generated by a monitoring system mounted on a compactor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following detailed description of theinvention for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,”left,” “lower,” “upper,” “upward,” “down,” and “downward” designatedirections in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “front”and “frontward,” and “rear” and “rearward,” refer to directions towardand away from, respectively, a designated travel direction of the pavervehicle or “paving” direction. The words “inner” and “inward,” and“outer” and “outward,” refer to directions toward and away from,respectively, the designated centerline of the paver vehicle. Theterminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivativesthereof, and words of similar import.

I. Paver With Temperature Monitoring System

Referring now to the drawings, in which like-identified referencenumbers a represent corresponding elements throughout the several views,attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 through-3, which show a presentlypreferred embodiment of temperature monitoring system 10 for pavervehicle 12 for forming formed material mat 11 of paving material uponbase surface 13. Temperature monitoring system 10 preferably includestemperature sensor 14 connected with paver vehicle 12 and is capable ofsensing the temperature of formed material mat 11 and generating anelectrical signal representative of the sensed formed material mattemperature. Display device 16 is disposed on paver vehicle 12 and iselectrically connected with temperature sensor 14. Display device 16 iscapable of receiving the electrical signal sent by temperature sensor 12and generating graphical image 17 corresponding to this electricalsignal. Accordingly, graphical image 17 is representative of the sensedformed material mat temperature and, thus, the actual temperature of theformed material mat. Display device 16 is preferably disposed proximalto an operator station (not shown) on either the screed assembly and/orthe tractor such that graphical image 17 provides a paver operator withinformation concerning the temperature of formed material mat 11. Usingthis formed material mat temperature information, the paver operator isable to make adjustments to the paver vehicle operation, as describedbelow.

As seen in FIGS. 1 through 3, temperature monitoring system 10 is usedon paver vehicle 12 that is capable of forming formed material mat 11behind paver vehicle 12 as paver vehicle 12 travels generally in asingle direction (i.e., forwardly). Thus, formed material mat 11 isformed as a continuous strip having a width transverse to the directionof travel of paver vehicle 12. Temperature monitoring system 10 monitorsthe temperature of formed material mat 11 as it is being formed or laidby paver vehicle 12 and provides formed material mat temperatureinformation to the paver operator by means of display device 16. Each ofthe above components of temperature monitoring system 10 is described infurther detail below.

Temperature sensor 14 may be any appropriate type of thermal measuringor sensing device/system and is preferably a “non-contact” type oftemperature sensor. In other words, the preferred temperature sensor 14is capable of “remotely” sensing the temperature of formed material mat11 without the need for any portion of temperature sensor 14 to makephysical contact with formed material mat 11. However, temperaturesensor 14 may, alternatively, be an appropriate “contact” type oftemperature sensor, such as, for example, a thermocouple with a sensingjunction (not shown). With such a “contact” type of temperature sensor14, caution must be taken to ensure that temperature sensor 14 does notscratch or otherwise damage formed material mat 11 or become itselfdamaged by contact with formed material mat 11.

Most preferably, temperature sensor 14 is either a thermal imager, athermal scanner, or a thermal imager operating in “line-scan” mode.Temperature sensor 14 is preferably mounted at rear end 12 a of pavervehicle 2 at a height sufficiently above formed material mat 11 so as tobe capable of viewing, and thus imaging, or scanning acrosssubstantially the entire width of formed material mat 11.

As thermal imagers and thermal scanners are well known in thetemperature sensing and thermal imaging arts, a detailed description ofthese types of temperature sensors is beyond the scope of the presentdisclosure, although certain features are now described. A thermalimager generally includes one or more temperature detectors and/orsensors, such as, for example, a video camera with an infrared filter oran infrared “vidicon” tube, with the temperature detector and/or sensorreceiving heat or infra-red energy from a target object and/or surface,such as formed material mat 11, and generating electrical signalscorresponding to the thermal image of the object/surface. A thermalscanner also includes one or more temperature detectors and/or sensors,but further includes optical elements (e.g., one or more mirrors) topresent the one or more temperature detectors and/or sensors withinfra-red energy from a plurality of locations on the target objectand/or surface, such as formed material mat 11 to construct a thermalimage of the target object and/or surface.

When temperature sensor 14 is a thermal scanner, the thermal scanner iscapable of sensing the formed material mat temperature at a plurality oflocations on formed material mat 11 and generating i plurality ofelectrical signals corresponding to the sensed formed material mattemperature at a plurality of locations on formed material mat 11. Theelectrical signals generated by the thermal scanner, which arerepresentative of the sensed formed material mat temperature at each ofthe plurality of locations on formed material mat 11, are transmitted todisplay device 16 by appropriate means (e.g., wires, cables, etc).Preferably, the thermal scanner is capable of repeatedly scanning acrossat least a portion of the width of formed material mat 11 so as toperiodically sense the formed material mat temperature at successivesections of formed material mat 11 along or with respect to thedirection of travel of paver vehicle 12. Thus, each side-to-side pass ofthe thermal scanner across the width of formed material mat 11 providestemperature measurements for a strip-like section of formed material mat11 and the series of repeated passes and scans provide temperatureinformation on each successive strip of formed material mat 11 as pavervehicle 12 continues to travel and form formed material mat 11.

In addition, display device 16 is capable of receiving the plurality ofelectrical signals from the thermal scanner and generating anddisplaying graphical image 17 representative of the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature profile of a section of formed material mat 11corresponding to the plurality of electrical signals received from thethermal scanner. Thus, this section of formed material mat 11 includes aplurality of locations on formed material mat 11 the thermal scanner hassensed or measured the formed material mat temperature. Display device16 is preferably capable of periodically updating graphical image 17 soas to represent the formed material mat temperature at successivesections on formed material mat 11 as paver vehicle 12 continues totravel. More specifically, graphical image 17 is preferably updated withsensed formed material mat temperature information from each successivepass of the thermal scanner across with of formed material mat 11 suchthat graphical image 17 “scrolls” on display device 16 as paver vehicle12 travels and formed material mat 11 is being formed.

At the present, a preferred thermal imager is the ThermoVision™ thermalimager product and a preferred thermal scanner is the ThermoProfile™thermal scanner product, each of these products being commerciallyavailable and manufactured by FLIR Systems Inc. of Portland, Oreg.However, any other type, brand or specific product of thermal imager orscanner may, alternatively; be used, such as, for example, aThermoprofile® 6 line thermal scanner commercially available from AGEMAInfrared Systems Ltd. of Burlington, Ontario Canada.

Display device 16 is preferably either a cathode ray tube (CRT) typedisplay device or a liquid crystal display (LCD) display device, each ofthese types of display devices being well known such that a detaileddescription thereof is beyond the scope of the present disclosure. Witha cathode ray tube (CRT) type display device, graphical image 17represents a “real-time” thermal profile of the formed material mat 11.Such a “Seal-time” graphical image 17 is generated by using anappropriate software program or other techniques for converting thesensed formed material mat temperature data sensed by temperature sensor14 into a viewable format, as is well known in the thermal imaging andscanning art.

Referring to FIG. 3, with a liquid crystal display (LCD) type displaydevice, the electrical signal output of temperature sensor 14 is passedthrough thermal scanner interface device 15, such as an A/D converter,so digital signals representative of the scanned formed material mattemperature are sent to the liquid crystal display (LCD) type displaydevice. A portion of the output from scanner interface device 15 may betransmitted to controller 20 having programmable memory for storingsensed formed material mat temperature data and/or for executing controlprograms to produce output control signals used to operate various pavervehicle operations, as discussed below.

Graphical image 17, such as that depicted in FIG. 2, identifies anddisplays thermal gradients existing across formed material mat 11.Significant thermal gradients affect the quality of formed material mat11. In particular, colder spots of formed material mat 11 are moredifficult to compact than hotter spots and, if not compacted correctly,ray cause premature damage to occur to formed material mat 11. Thus,temperature monitoring system 10 uses the sensed formed material matinformation about thermal gradients existing in a newly laid formedmaterial mat 11 to control and improve the quality of paving operations.

Referring to FIG. 2, various graphical images 17 may be generated by astemperature monitoring system 10 and displayed on display device 16.Graphical images 17 shown in FIG. 2 depict various manners ofrepresenting the thermal profile of a typical freshly-laid formedmaterial mat 11. The particular display information depicted in FIG. 2also includes actual temperature profiles, 18A and 18B, taken along twolines, LI01 and LI02, across formed material mat 11. The sensed formedmaterial mat temperature data may additionally, or alternatively, bepresented in the form of data table 19 and may include maximum, minimumand average temperatures along lines LI01 and LI02 at a particular areaAR01 or at a particular point SP01. Display device 16 used in aparticular application may include less or additional sensed formedmaterial mat temperature data, and/or present the sensed formed materialmat temperature data in different formats (e.g., an liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) type display with a numerical read-out of the sensedformed material mat temperature), than the exemplary display informationshown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, temperature monitoring system 10 is configured suchthat the thermal scanner only records and displays the formed materialmat thermal information when paver vehicle 12 is in motion. In addition,the forward speed of paver vehicle 12 may be simultaneously recorded andprocessed to allow the position of paver vehicle 12 relative to basesurface 13 to be determined and the formed material mat thermal profilescross-referenced or correlated to specific locations on the road (i.e.,formed material mat 11). Temperature monitoring system 10 preferablyfurther includes a motion and/or speed sensor 22 and/or position sensor24, each of motion and/or speed sensor 22 and/or position sensor 24being disposed on paver vehicle 12. Motion and/or speed sensor 22 ispreferably provided when temperature sensor 14 is a thermal scanner andis capable of sending electrical signals to the thermal scanner so thethermal scanner pauses when paver vehicle 12 is idle or has stoppedmoving and thermal scanner scans only when paver vehicle 12 is moving toavoid re-scanning areas of formed material mat 11 that have already beendisplayed on display device 16.

Position sensor 24 is capable of sensing the position of paver vehicle12 with respect to base surface 13, and thus provides an indication ofthe locations on formed material mat 11 that are being viewed or scannedby temperature sensor 14. Position sensor 24 may be any appropriateposition sensing device, such as for example, a global positioningsystem (G.P.S.) system or a laser-based position sensing system, each ofthese types of position sensing systems being known in the paving art.

Position sensor 24 is preferably used with temperature monitoring system10 that includes controller 20, as shown in FIG. 3. Controller 20includes a resident software program capable of correlating the sensedpaver vehicle positions with the sensed formed material mat temperaturesto provide information as to the sensed formed material mat temperatureat each position on formed material mat 11 that is scanned or viewed.Further, controller 20 preferably includes a database software programor is connected to a separate database system (not shown). The databasesoftware program or system is capable of storing the correlated sensedpaver vehicle position information and the sensed formed material mattemperature-information so the correlated information may be stored, andlater analyzed and/or reproduced, for the entire length of formedmaterial mat 11 paved by the paver vehicle 12. This correlated sensedpaver vehicle position information and the sensed formed material mattemperature-information may be used for monitoring wear of formedmaterial mat 11 and to provide quality assurance information. The sensedpaver vehicle position data output from position sensor 24 and thesensed formed material mat temperature data output from the thermalscanner are preferably recorded onto high capacity discs or cards (notshown) and are preferably maintained as a historical record of thethermal profile of a roadway (i.e., formed material mat 11) as laid.

II. Marking of a Newly Laid Formed Material Mat Using a Thermal Scanner

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a presently preferred embodiment ofmarking system 30 for paver vehicle 32 capable of forming a mat ofpaving material upon a base system is shown. Marking system 30 generallyincludes temperature sensor 34 connected with paver vehicle 32,temperature sensor 34 being capable of sensing the formed material mattemperature, such as at location L, on formed material mat 31. Markingdevice 36 is mounted to paver vehicle 32 and is capable of forming avisible mark on formed material mat 31. Controller 38 is disposed onpaver vehicle 32 and is electrically connected with temperature sensor34. Controller 38 is capable of operating marking device 36 such thatmarking device 36 forms a visible mark a predetermined locations onformed material mat 31, such as at location L, when the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature is either above a first selected temperaturevalue or below a second selected temperature value. First selectedtemperature value and second selected temperature value could be thesame temperature, if desired, but are preferably different temperaturevalues which represent the extremes of the range of temperature valueswhich would result in an “acceptable” formed material mat 31.

Marker device 36 is preferably capable of forming both first mark 39, aswell as a visually distinguishable second mark 41. With such a markerdevice 36, controller 38 is preferably capable of operating markerdevice 36 such that marker device 36 forms first mark 39 on formedmaterial mat 31 when the sensed formed material mat temperature is belowthe first selected temperature value and marker device 36 forms secondmark 41 on formed material mat 31 when the sensed formed material mattemperature is above the second selected temperature value. Asdiscussed, above, the first selected temperature value and the secondselected temperature value preferably represent the lower limit and theupper limit, respectively, of a range or band of formed material mattemperatures that are determined to be acceptable for normal paving andcompaction operations.

Thus, locations L on formed material mat 31 identified with first mark39 have been sensed as having a higher than desired temperature fornormal paving and compaction, such that paving and compaction should beperformed relatively slower and with less vibration amplitude to preventexcessive compaction of formed material mat 31. Further, locations L onformed material mat 31 identified with second mark 41 have been sensedas having a lower than desired temperature for paving and compaction,such that paving and compaction should be performed more rapidly andwith greater vibration amplitude to ensure that sufficient compaction offormed material mat 31 is achieved.

Temperature sensor 34 is preferably a “non-contact” type temperaturesensor, and most preferably is a thermal imager or thermal scanner asdescribed above. Alternatively, temperature sensor 34 may be any othertype of “non-contact” sensor or even a “contact” sensor, although thesame concerns as discussed above must be addressed when using a“contact” type temperature sensor in this application.

When temperature sensor 34 is a thermal scanner, the thermal scanner ispreferably capable of sensing the formed material mat temperature at aplurality of locations L on formed material mat 31. With such atemperature sensor 34, controller 38 is preferably capable of operatingmarking device 36 such that marking device 36 forms first mark 39 orsecond mark 41 at each location L where the sensed temperature is eitherbelow the first selected temperature value (first mark 39) or above thesecond selected temperature value (second mark 41).

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, marker device 36 is preferably a“sprayer” type of marker system capable of applying an appropriatechemical (e.g., paint, ink, etc.) on formed material mat 31 to formreadily observable or visible first mark 39 or second mark 41 on formedmaterial the mat 11. Marker device 36 preferably includes a supply 40 ofa marking chemical, most preferably paint, and sprayer device 42connected with marking chemical supply 40 that is capable of directing aquantity of the marking chemical onto formed material mat 31 at leastproximal to locations on formed material mat 31 where first mark 39 orsecond mark 41 is desired. Sprayer device 42 preferably includes spraybar 44, a plurality of delivery nozzles 46 spaced along spray bar 44, aplurality of valves 49 each controlling flow through a separate one ofdelivery nozzles 46 and hoses or pipes 47 to connect the variouscomponents of spraying device 42.

Spray bar 44 may either be a hollow tube, such that the marking chemicalflows through the hollow tube to each delivery nozzle 46, or a solid barused solely for mounting the delivery nozzles 46, with hoses or pipes 47extending to each individual delivery nozzle 46. Spray bar 44 is mountedto the rear end of paver vehicle 32, preferably to a rear portion ofpaver screed assembly 33. Further, delivery nozzles 46 are arranged onspray bar 44 so as to be spaced across at least a portion of the widthof the formed material mat 31.

Marker device 36 preferably includes second sprayer device 48 having asecond marking chemical supply 50, a second set of delivery nozzles 52and a corresponding plurality of valves 53, and second sprayer bar 54,as shown in FIG. 5, if spray bar 44 is used to channel the first markingchemical and not merely to mount delivery nozzles 46. Second markingchemical supply 50 preferably contains a marking chemical that isvisibly distinguishable from the marking chemical in spraying device 42,each marking chemical preferably having a different color. Second set ofdelivery nozzles 52 are preferably each disposed proximal to deliverynozzles 46.

With two sprayer devices 36 and 48, one sprayer device (e.g. sprayer 42)is preferably used to form first marks 39 at locations on formedmaterial mat 11 where the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow the first selected temperature value. The other sprayer device(i.e., sprayer 48) is preferably used to form second marks 41 atlocations on formed material mat 31 where the sensed formed material mattemperature is above the second selected temperature value. Valves 49and 53 controlling flow through delivery nozzles 46 and 52,respectively, are preferably electro-mechanically actuated to facilitatecontrolling marker device 36, as discussed above and in further detailbelow.

Although the above-described configuration is preferred, marker device36 may be constructed as any other system capable of creating first mark39 and/or second mark 41 on the formed material mat 31. For example,marker device 36 may have one or a pair of delivery nozzles slidablymounted on a rail (not shown) so as to be adjustably positionable withrespect to the width of the formed material mat 31. Further, forexample, marker device 36 may be constructed as one or a pair of nozzlesmounted on a rotatable base and configured to direct flow in variousdirections by controlled rotation of the base (not shown). As yetanother example, marker device 36 may include ore or more movablebrushes or another such direct contact type of applicator (none shown).The present invention includes these or any other appropriateconstructions of marker device 36 capable of functioning generally asdescribed herein.

Referring to FIG. 5, controller 38 preferably includes a residentsoftware program or other computing means, such as hard-wired logiccircuits, that is capable of comparing electrical signals received fromtemperature sensor 34 with the first selected temperature value and thesecond selected temperature value and generating control signals to openor close each of valves 49 in first sprayer device 42 and/or to open orclose each of valves 53 in second sprayer device 48 as required.Further, controller 38 is preferably configured to “divide” formedmaterial mat 31 into an appropriate number of zones across the imagingor scanning width of temperature sensor 34, each such zone beingassociated with one of delivery nozzles 46 and one of delivery nozzles52 (if both sprayer devices are present). Controller 38 preferablyincludes programmable memory such that the paver vehicle operator mayenter a different first selected temperature value and/or a differentsecond selected temperature value for a particular paving jobs, whichvary depending on factors such as type of paving material, the ambienttemperature, etc.

In use, the preferred marker system 30 marks the relatively “hotter”areas of formed material mat 31 with first mark 39 to indicate thatthese areas should be allowed to cool before rolling and/or compacting,rolled at a faster speed, and/or rolled at a lower vibration frequency.On the other hand, marker system 30 marks relatively “colder” areas ofthe formed material mat 31 with second mark 41 so as to indicate theneed for immediate remedial work and/or to indicate where the compactorvehicle(s) should be driven at a lower speed over the area and/oroperate at higher vibration frequencies. As discussed above, first mark39 and second mark 41, respectively, are preferably differentiated bycolor (e.g., first mark—red, second mark—blue), although the first mark39 and second mark 41 may have different shapes or be otherwise visuallydistinguishable.

III. Thermal Scanning for Automatic Control of Paver Vehicles

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 12, presently preferred embodiment ofpaver vehicle control system 60 for paver vehicle 62 for forming aformed material mat 61 of paving material upon base surface 63 is shown.Paver vehicle 62 generally includes tractor 64 that is capable of beingoperated at various travel speeds with respect to base surface 63 andscreed assembly 66 connected with tractor 64. Screed assembly 66 formspaving material deposited off of tractor 64 into formed material mat 61,the travel speed of tractor 64 determining the speed formation of formedmaterial mat 61.

Paver vehicle control system 60 generally includes temperature sensor 68connected with paver vehicle 62, temperature sensor 68 being capable ofsensing the temperature of formed material mat 63. Paver vehicle controlsystem 60 includes one or more devices for varying the compressive forceexerted by screed assembly 66 on the paving material during formation offormed material mat 61, as discussed below. Controller 70 is disposed-on paver vehicle 62 and is electrically connected with temperaturesensor 68. Controller 70 is capable of operating the one or more of thecompressive force varying devices in accordance with a predeterminedrelationship between the sensed formed material mat temperature and thecompressive force exerted by screed assembly 66. Alternatively, or inaddition, paver vehicle control system 60 may include one or moredevices for varying the travel speed of tractor 64, as discussed below.Controller 70 is also preferably capable of adjusting the travel speedvarying device(s) in accordance with a predetermined relationshipbetween the sensed formed material mat temperature and the travel speedof tractor 64, as discussed below.

Temperature sensor 68 is preferably a “non-contact” type temperaturesensor, and most preferably a thermal imager or a thermal scanner asdescribed in detail in Section I above. The electrical signal output ofthe temperature sensor 68 is preferably passed through scanner interfacedevice 69, such as an A/D converter, so digital signals representativeof the sensed formed material mat temperature are sent to controller 70.As discussed below, controller 70 preferably includes a residentsoftware program, or alternatively a hard-wired logic circuit, that iscapable of comparing input sensed formed material mat temperature datawith stored data containing the predetermined relationships to generateoutput control signals based on these comparisons. These output controlsignals are used to operate various devices on paver vehicle 62, asdiscussed below.

Screed assembly 66 and tractor 64 preferably include one or more of thefollowing devices/mechanisms that affect the amount or magnitude ofcompressive force exerted by the screed plate 66 a on paving materialand are each conventionally provided on commercially available pavervehicles. As a general rule, controller 70 increases the compressiveforce exerted by screed assembly 66 and/or increases the travel speed oftractor 64 when the sensed formed material mat temperature is below afirst selected temperature value and decreases the compressive forceexerted by screed assembly 66 and/or decreases the travel speed oftractor 64 the sensed formed material mat temperature is above a secondselected temperature value. Thus, the first selected temperature valueand the second selected temperature value represent the lower and upperlimits of an acceptable range of temperature values, or a temperatureband, for forming formed material mat 61. Portions of formed materialmat 61 having a sensed formed material mat temperature within theacceptable range of temperature values indicate that paver vehicle 60 isperforming satisfactorily and enables optimal compaction duringsubsequent rolling operations.

Vibration device 72 is preferably mounted on the upper surface of eachscreed plate 66 a and is capable of being operated at variousfrequencies by appropriate adjustment of a hydraulic motor that rotatesa weighted shaft. Vibrator devices are well known in the paving art,such that a detailed description thereof is not required for a clearunderstanding of the present invention.

However, vibrator device 72 may be constructed to have an automaticallyadjustable amplitude. Such automatic adjustment of the vibratoramplitude may be provided by any appropriate means, such as by providinga linear actuator or servomotor (neither shown) configured to displacethe weights with respect to the shaft to vary the radial distance fromthe centerline of the shaft. Thus, vibrator amplitude is increased ordecreased by respectively increasing or decreasing the radial distanceof the weights from the shaft centerline. Further, the preferredvibrator device 72 includes controllable means to adjust the vibratorfrequency, such as an electro-mechanical valve (not depicted)controlling flow to the motor (not shown).

Vibrator device 72 is adjusted in the following predeterminedrelationship between sensed formed material mat temperature andcompressive force exerted by screed assembly 66. In particular,controller 70 increases the vibration frequency when the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature is below a first selected temperature value anddecreases the vibration frequency when the sensed formed material mattemperature is above a second selected temperature value. The firstselected temperature valve and the second selected temperature valuerepresent the lower and upper limits, respectively, of a band of“acceptable” sensed formed material mat temperature values a particularpaving project.

A control algorithm includes steps for controlling the adjustment of thevibration frequency of screed assembly 66 in the desired manner, thiscontrol algorithm being programmed or hard-wired into controller 70.Alternatively, controller 70 may periodically adjust the vibrationfrequency of screed assembly 66 in accordance with a predeterminedoptimal frequency for each temperature value of the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature, although such a control system is more complexto both construct and operate.

The vibration frequency exerted by screed assembly affects thecompressive stress exerted by screed assembly 66 on the paving materialduring leveling by increasing or decreasing the number of “downwardpushes” applied to screed plate 66 a during predetermined interval oftime by the rotating eccentric weights. Thus, more vibrations or“downward pushes against screed plate 66 a are desired when the sensedformed material mat temperature is “colder” (and thus more difficult tocompact) to obtain the desired end result and less vibrations or“downward pushes” are desired when the sensed formed material mattemperature is “hotter” (and thus easier to compact) to preclude“over-compaction” and obtain the desired end result.

Further, with vibrator device 72 having adjustable amplitude, controller70 is preferably capable of increasing the amplitude of vibrator device72 when the sensed formed material mat temperature is below the firstselected temperature value and decreasing the amplitude of vibratordevice 72 when the sensed formed material mat temperature is above thesecond selected temperature value. Controller 70 may, alternatively, beconfigured to periodically adjust the vibrator amplitude in accordancewith a predetermined “optical” vibrator amplitude for each value ofsensed formed material mat temperature. Vibrator amplitude affects thecompressive force exerted by screed assembly 66 by increasing ordecreasing the magnitude of the downward push” applied to screed plate66 a by vibrator device 72. Thus, stronger vibrations/pushes againstscreed plate 66 a are desired when the sensed formed material mattemperature is “colder” (and thus more difficult to compact) to obtain adesired end result and relatively weaker vibrations are desired when thesensed formed material mat temperature is “hotter” (and thus easier tocompact) to preclude “over-compacting” and obtain the desired endresult.

Paver vehicle 62 preferably includes screed-assist device 76 havinghydraulic cylinder 78 extending between tractor 64 and screed assembly66. Such screed assist devices 76 are also well known in the paving art,such that a detailed description thereof is beyond the scope of thepresent disclosure. Screed-assist device 76 vertically displaces screedassembly 66, and thus also screed plate 66 a, by appropriate extensionand retraction of hydraulic cylinder 78. Screed assist device 76 is usedfor both “gross” lifting of screed assembly 66, such as when travelingbetween paving job-sites, and also for varying the pressure of screedplate 66 a on formed material mat 61 during paving, as described below.

Screed-assist device 76 is adjusted in the following predeterminedrelationship between sensed formed material mat temperature and thecompressive stress exerted by screed assembly 66. Controller 70 extendshydraulic cylinder 78 when the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow a first selected temperature value and retracts hydraulic cylinder78 when the sensed formed material temperature is above a secondselected temperature value. The first selected temperature value and thesecond selected temperature value are the lower limit and the upperlimit, respectively, of a desired band of “acceptable” temperaturevalues for formation of formed material mat 61, which are preferably thesame temperature band values as that used for controlling vibratordevice 72.

By retracting the hydraulic cylinder 78, screed plate 66 a is liftedupwardly relative to the paving material being formed, which decreasesthe compressive force exerted on the paving material by screed assembly66 and, thus, the extent or amount of material compaction performed byscreed assembly 66. On the other hand, extending hydraulic cylinder 79moves screed assembly 66 toward base surface 63, thereby increasing thecompressive force exerted by screed assembly 66 and the amount ofmaterial compaction performed by screed assembly 66.

Although the extension and retraction of hydraulic cylinder 78, and,thus, the relative displacement of screed plate 66 a are used to adjustthe compressive force exerted by screed assembly 66, controller 72actually monitors and adjusts the hydraulic pressure in hydrauliccylinder 78. The relatively small amount of movement of the hydrauliccylinder rod involved in adjusting the screed assembly 66 pressure makespressure monitoring and adjustment of hydraulic cylinder 78 easier toimplement and control than attempting to directly control the positionof the hydraulic cylinder rod.

Screed assembly 66 may include tamper bar device 74 mounted forwardly ofscreed plate 66 a (i.e., between screed assembly 66 and tractor 64) thatis capable of operating at various frequencies and amplitudes. Tamperbar devices are well known in the paving art and are commonly used inEuropean paving operations, such that a detailed description thereof isnot required for a clear understanding of the present invention.

With screed assembly 66 including tamper bar device 74, controller 70increases the frequency and/or amplitude of tamper bar device 74 whenthe sensed formed material mat temperature is below a first selectedtemperature value and decreases the frequency and/or amplitude of tamperbar device 74 when the sensed formed material mat temperature is above asecond selected temperature value. As with vibrator device 72 andscreed-assist device 76, the first selected temperature value and thesecond selected temperature value correspond to the lower limit and theupper limit, respectively, of an “acceptable” band of sensed formedmaterial mat temperature values, and are preferably the same temperatureband values as used for controlling vibrator device 72 and screed assistdevice 76.

Controller 70 also preferably automatically adjusts a speed varyingdevice, such as a throttle or speed selector device 80, in accordancewith a predetermined relationship between the sensed formed material mattemperature and the travel speed of tractor 64. As is conventional,tractor 64 includes a plurality of wheels 82 that act to mobilizetractor 64 relative to base surface 63. The plurality of wheels 82 caneither operate separately or as part of a wheel train to drive acontinuous track. A hydraulic motor (not shown) is preferably used todrive wheels 82. Throttle or speed selector device 80 controls thetravel speed of paver vehicle 62, either by controlling the speed of themotor or by varying the gear ratios on the drive train components (notdepicted) operating between the motor and the shafts of wheels 82(neither depicted).

Controller 70 adjusts throttle or speed selector device 80 to adjust thetravel speed of tractor 64 and, therefore, the speed of formation offormed material mat 61 or the “paving speed” in the following manner. Iftemperature sensor 68 indicates that the sensed formed material mattemperature is below a first selected value, and is thus “colder” thandesired, controller 70 adjusts throttle or speed selector-device 80 toincrease the travel speed of tractor 64. At a greater travel speed fortractor 64, paver vehicle 60 exerts a greater pull on screed assembly 66such that screed assembly 66 tends to compress formed material mat 61 toa greater extent. In addition, a higher travel speed for tractor 64allows more paving material to be deposited before the temperature offormed material mat 61 decreases to the extent that no further pavingshould be performed. If temperature sensor 68 indicates that the sensedformed material mat temperature is above a second selected temperaturevalue, and is thus “hotter” than desired, controller 70 adjusts throttleor speed selector device 80 to decrease the travel speed of tractor 64.At a lower travel speed for tractor 64, screed assembly 66 experiencesless pull from tractor 64, such that the compression force from screedassembly 66 on formed material mat 61 is reduced and screed assembly 66is better able to form and compress the relatively “hot” paving materialat a lower travel speed.

Controller 70 receives output signals from temperature sensor 68 thatcorrespond to the temperature at specific points or sections on formedmaterial mat 61. As discussed above, controller 70 has one or moresoftware program(s) and/or includes hard-wired logic circuits todetermine the necessary adjustment to various paver operationalparameters (i.e., vibrator frequency, screed-assist pressure, etc.) tobring these operational parameters within a range that is suitable forthe sensed formed material mat temperature. Controller 70 allows thepaving vehicle operator to input control parameters to account forvariations in paving materials and/or specific requirements for aparticular paving operation.

IV. Thermal Scanning for Control of Compaction Equipment

Temperature monitoring system 10 as described above can also beincorporated into compacting vehicle or compactor 82. In this case,temperature sensor 14 of temperature monitoring system 10 is mounted oncompacting vehicle or compactor 82 at a position, such as at front end82 a, such that temperature sensor 14 can scan or view at least aportion of formed material mat 11 to be compacted. A display device (notshown) connected with temperature sensor 14 is mounted on compactingvehicle or compactor 82 so the display device is capable of being viewedby the operator of compacting vehicle or compactor 82. Sensed formedmaterial mat temperature data generated by temperature sensor 14 istransmitted to the display device.

As described above, one for more software program(s) and or hard-wiredlogic circuits process the sensed formed material mat temperature dataand generate electrical signals proportional to the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature, such that the display device provides theoperator of the compacting vehicle or compactor with the temperatureprofile of formed material mat 11 to be compacted. Using the sensedformed material mat temperature information from the display device, theoperator of compacting vehicle or compactor 82 adjusts, if necessary,one or more operational parameters of compacting vehicle or compactor82, such as the frequency of the compaction vibrator, the travel speedof compacting vehicle or compactor 82, etc., to achieve acceptablecompaction levels and smoothness in formed material mat 11. The displaydevice preferably includes a screen, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT)(not shown), that provides the operator of compacting vehicle orcompactor 82 with graphical image 17 of the sensed formed material mattemperature at particular locations or sections on formed material mat11. An example of graphical image 17 and display information that may bepresented to an operator of compacting vehicle or compactor 82 is shown,this information being similar to the information shown in FIG. 2 anddiscussed in connection with section I above.

Alternatively, the display device may only indicate the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature levels in reference to a “target” or desiredtemperature value or range. For example, the one or more softwareprogram(s) and/or hard-wired logic circuits may compare the sensedformed material mat temperature with a “target” or desired temperaturevalue or range, and then generate an appropriate control signal 83 thatis sent to an indicator, such as, for example, “three light” indicator84. “Three light” indicator 84 preferably includes first indicator light86 that indicates that formed material mat 11 is at the “target” ordesired temperature value or range, second indicator light 87 thatindicates that the sensed formed material mat temperature is higher thanthe “target” or desired temperature value or range and third indicatorlight 88 that indicates that the sensed formed material mat temperatureis lower than the “target” or desired temperature value or range.Additionally, or alternatively, an audible alarm may be used to indicatewhen the sensed formed material mat temperature is below the firstselected temperature value or above the second selected temperaturevalue to indicate to the operator of compacting vehicle or compactorthat adjustments to the operating parameters of compacting vehicle orcompactor 82 may be in order.

The operator of compacting vehicle or compactor 82 uses thisinformation, either provided as the actual sensed formed material mattemperature or as an indicated temperature level, to adjust theoperational parameters of compacting vehicle or compactor 82 asappropriate. Further the display device may either indicate the sensedformed material mat temperature averaged over the width of formedmaterial mat 11 or formed material mat 11 may be divided into apredetermined number of sections or control zones across the width offormed material mat 11.

Output or temperature signal 83 may, alternatively, be used toautomatically control operational parameters of compacting machine orcompactor 82 using automatic control system or controller 90. Automaticcontrol system or controller 90 is connected with and is capable ofadjusting the operation of the device(s) (none shown) that drive theappropriate components of compacting vehicle or compactor 82, such as,for example, an electronic control valve in the hydraulic circuitoperating the motor that propels compacting vehicle or compactor 82 orthat drives the vibration mechanism (neither shown). If the sensedformed material mat temperature is lower than a “target” or desiredtemperature value the operator of compacting vehicle or compactor 82,automatic control system or controller 90 reduces the travel speed ofcompacting vehicle or compactor 82 and/or increases the vibrationfrequency. On the other hand, if the sensed formed material mattemperature is higher than a “target” or desired temperature value,automatic control system or controller 90 increases the travel speed ofcompacting vehicle or compactor 82 and/or decreases the vibrationfrequency.

The amount by which the above operational parameters are adjusted inaccordance with the sensed formed material mat temperature is preferablyvariable and adjustable by the operator of compacting vehicle orcompactor 82 to allow adjustment in variables such as variations inpaving materials, operating conditions and the ambient temperature. Forexample, automatic control system or controller 90 may be set toincrease/decrease the travel speed of compacting vehicle or compactor 82by, for example, a specific number of rotations per minute (RPM's) for aspecific number of degrees above or below, respectively the “target” ordesired sensed formed material mat temperature value, with theincremental amount of increase/decrease being adjustable by the operatorof compacting vehicle or compactor 82 to account for variations inpaving operations.

V. Thermal Scanning for Simultaneous Paver and Compactor Control

Temperature monitoring system 10, as described herein, is mounted onpaver vehicle 12. Temperature sensor 14 senses and transmits anelectrical signal corresponding to the sensed formed material mattemperature. The sensed formed material mat temperature data is combinedwith sensed position data to automatically control operationalparameters of paver vehicle 12. This data may also be stored forhistorical and quality assurance purposes.

Further, the sensed formed material mat temperature data and sensedposition data can be transmitted by appropriate means, such as by atelemetry link (not shown), from paver vehicle 12 to compacting vehicleor compactor 82. Graphical image 17 can be displayed directly on anoperator interface (e.g., a display screen) on compacting vehicle orcompactor 82 such that the operator of compacting vehicle or compactor82 uses the sensed formed material mat temperature information whencontrolling the operational parameters of compacting machine orcompactor 82. Further, sensed formed material mat temperatureinformation may be used to simultaneously, or alternatively, generatecontrol signals that are inputted into one or more automatic controllers(not shown) for operating systems of compacting machine or compactor 82,such as, for example, the hydraulic motor driving the compactorvibration system (not shown).

VI. Real-Time Thermal Profile Feedback System

For any or all of the different applications of temperature monitoringsystem 10 described herein, temperature sensor 14 may be an infraredthermal imager configured in “line scan” mode or may be a thermal linescanner. For example, such a thermal scanner may be mounted at rear end12 a of paver vehicle 12 such that the field of view of the thermalscanner is formed material mat 11 being laid behind paver vehicle 12.The thermal scanner is connected with and feeds into a display device(not shown) mounted at an operator station on paver vehicle 12 so theoperator of paver vehicle 12 may monitor in real time the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature of various sections of formed material mat 11as formed material mat 11 is being laid by paver vehicle 12. The sensedformed material mat temperature data output from the thermal scanner maybe recorded onto high capacity discs and/or cards (not shown) andmaintained as a historical record of the thermal profile of formedmaterial mat 11 as laid.

Temperature monitoring system 10 is preferably designed such that thethermal scanner only records or displays sensed formed material mattemperature information when paver vehicle 12 is in motion. Further, theforward speed of paver vehicle 12 may be simultaneously recorded andprocessed to allow the position of paver vehicle 12 to be determined andthe sensed formed material mat temperature profile cross-referenced orcorrelated to specific positions on formed material mat 11.

Although the present invention has been described above in detail, thesame is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be takenas a limitation on the present invention. Accordingly, the scope andcontent of the present invention are to be defined only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a paver vehicle in forminga mat of paving material upon a base surface, the paver vehicleincluding a tractor operable at various travel speeds with respect tothe base surface and a screed that is connected with the tractor, themethod comprising the steps of: providing a temperature sensor connectedwith the paver vehicle; sensing the temperature of the formed materialmat; and adjusting the travel speed of the tractor so as to vary thespeed of formation of the formed material mat in accordance with apredetermined relationship between the sensed formed material mattemperature and the travel speed of the tractor.
 2. A method inaccordance with claim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing thepaver vehicle with a tractor and a screed that is connected with thetractor and the screed is adjustable so as to vary the compressive forceexerted by the screed on the formed material mat adjusting the screedduring formation of the formed material mat so as to vary thecompressive force exerted by the screed upon the formed material mat inaccordance with a predetermined relationship between the sensed formedmaterial mat temperature and the compressive force exerted by thescreed.
 3. The operating method in accordance with claim 2, wherein thestep of adjusting the screed includes increasing the compressive forceexerted by the screed when the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow a first selected temperature value and decreasing the compressiveforce exerted by the screed when the sensed formed material mattemperature is above a second selected temperature value.
 4. Theoperating method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the screed includesa vibrator device that is operable at various frequencies and the stepof adjusting the screed includes increasing the operating frequency ofthe vibrator device when the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow a first selected temperature value and decreasing the operatingfrequency of the vibrator device when the sensed temperature is above asecond selected temperature value.
 5. The operating method in accordancewith claim 2, wherein the screed includes a vibrator device that isoperable at various amplitudes and the step of adjusting the screedincludes increasing the operating amplitude of the vibrator device whenthe sensed formed material mat temperature is below a fist selectedtemperature value and decreasing the operating amplitude of the vibratordevice when the sensed formed material mat temperature is above a secondselected temperature value.
 6. The operating method in accordance withclaim 2, wherein the screed includes a tamper device operable at variousfrequencies and the step of adjusting the screed includes increasing theoperating frequency of the tamper device when the sensed formed materialmat temperature is below a first selected temperature value anddecreasing the operating frequency of the tamper device when the sensedformed material mat temperature is above a second selected temperaturevalue.
 7. The operating method in accordance with claim 2, wherein thescreed includes a tamper device having an adjustable amplitude and thestep of adjusting the screed includes increasing the operating amplitudeof the tamper device when the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow a first selected temperature value and decreasing the operatingamplitude of the tamper device when the sensed formed material mattemperature is above a second selected temperature value.
 8. Theoperating method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the paver vehicleincludes a hydraulic cylinder having a first end connected with thetractor and a second end connected with the screed and the step ofadjusting the screed includes extending the hydraulic cylinder when thesense formed material mat temperature is below a first selectedtemperature value and retracting the hydraulic cylinder when the sensedformed material mat temperature is above a second selected temperaturevalue.
 9. The operating method in accordance with claim 2, wherein saidtemperature sensor is a thermal imager or a thermal scanner configuredto sense the formed material mat temperature profile of a section of theformed material mat.
 10. The operating method in accordance with claim2, further including the steps of providing a display device disposed onthe paver vehicle and generating a graphical image on said displaydevice which is representative of the sensed formed material mattemperature and wherein the step of adjusting the screed includesmanually adjusting the screed.
 11. The operating method in accordancewith claim 2, further including the step of providing a controllerdisposed an the paver vehicle and connected with the temperature sensorand wherein: the temperature sensor is configured to send an electricalsignal representative of the sensed formed material mat temperature tothe controller, the screed includes an actuator electrically connectedwith the controller, the actuator configured to adjust the screed tovary the compressive force exerted by the screed; and the step ofadjusting the screen includes operating the actuator with the controllerin response to the electrical signal received from the temperaturesensor so as to automatically adjust the screed.
 12. The operatingmethod in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of adjusting thetravel speed of the tractor includes increasing the travel speed of thetractor when the sensed formed material mat temperature is below a firstselected temperature value and decreasing the travel speed of thetractor when the sensed formed material mat temperature is above asecond selected temperature value.
 13. The operating method inaccordance with claim 1, wherein: the tractor includes a plurality ofwheels configured to mobilize the tractor upon the base surface, a motorconfigured to drive the wheels at various operating speeds, and athrottle configured to adjust the speed of the wheels; and the step ofadjusting the travel speed of the tractor includes operating thethrottle to adjust the speed of the wheels.
 14. The operating method inaccordance with claim 1, further including the step of providing acontroller disposed on the paver vehicle and connected with thetemperature sensor and wherein: the temperature sensor is configured tosend an electrical signal representative of the sensed formed materialmat temperature to the controller; the tractor includes an actuatorelectrically connected with the controller and configured to adjust thetravel speed of the tractor, and the step of adjusting the travel speedof the tractor includes operating the actuator with the controller inresponse to the electrical signal received from the temperature sensorso as to automatically adjust the travel speed of the tractor.
 15. Theoperating method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperaturesensor is a thermal imager or a thermal scanner configured to sense theformed material mat temperature profile of a section of the formedmaterial mat.
 16. A marking system for a paver vehicle for forming a matof paving material upon a base surface, said marking system comprising:a temperature sensor connected with the paver vehicle, said temperaturesensor configured to sense a temperature of the formed material mat andgenerating an electrical signal representative of the sensedtemperature; a marking advice mounted to the paver vehicle, said markingdevice configured to form a visible mark on the formed material mat; anda controller disposed on the paver vehicle, said controller iselectrically connected with the temperture sensor and operates saidmarking device such that said marking device forms a visible mark on theformed material mat when the sensed temperature is below a firstselected temperature value or above a second selected temperature value.17. The marking system in accordance with claim 16, wherein saidtemperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor.
 18. The markingsystem in accordance with claim 17, wherein said temperature sensor is athermal imager.
 19. The marking system in accordance with in claim 17,wherein: said temperature sensor is a thermal scanner configured tosense the temperature at a plurality of locations on the formed materialmat; and said controller operates said marking device such that saidmarking device forms a visible mark on the formed material mat at eachlocation on the formed material mat where the sensed temperature isbelow said first selected temperature value or above said secondselected temperature value.
 20. The marking system in accordance withclaim 16, wherein said marking device includes a supply of paint and apaint sprayer connected with said supply of paint and said paint sprayerdirects a predetermined quantity of paint onto the formed material matat least proximal to the location on the formed material mat where thesensed temperature is below a first selected temperature value or abovea second selected temperature value.
 21. The marking device inaccordance with claim 20, wherein the paver vehicle forms the formedmaterial mat as a continuous strip having a width and said paint sprayerincludes a plurality of paint delivery nozzles a are arranged on thepaver vehicle so as to be spaced across the width of the formed materialmat.
 22. The marking device in accordance with claim 16, wherein: saidmarker device forms a first mark and a visually distinguishable secondmark; and said controller operates said marker device such that saidmarker device forms said first mark on the formed material mat when thesensed temperature is below said first selected temperature value andsaid marker device forms said second mark on the formed material matwhen the sensed temperature is above said second selected temperaturevalue.
 23. A control system for a paver vehicle for forming a mat ofpaving material upon a base surface, the paver vehicle including atractor operable at various travel speeds with respect to the basesurface, the travel speed of the tractor speed determining the speed offormed material mat formation, and a screed connected with the tractor,said control system comprising: a temperature sensor connected with thepaver vehicle, said temperature sensor configured to sense a temperatureof the formed material mat and generating an electrical signalrepresentative of the sensed formed material mat temperature; means forvarying the travel speed of the tractor; and a controller disposed onthe paver vehicle, said controller is electrically connected with saidtemperature sensor and controls said means for varying the travel speedof the tractor in accordance with a predetermined relationship betweenthe sensed formed material mat temperature and the travel speed of thetractor.
 24. The control system in accordance with claim 23, whereinsaid controller increases the travel speed of the tractor when thesensed formed material mat temperature is below a first selectedtemperature value and decreases the travel speed of the tractor when thesensed formed material mat temperature is above a second selectedtemperature value.
 25. The control system in accordance with claim 23,wherein: the tractor includes a plurality of wheels that mobilize thetractor upon the base surface, a motor to drive the wheels, said motorbeing operable at various speeds, and a throttle to control the speed ofthe motor; and said controller adjusts the throttle so as to adjust thespeed of formed material mat formation.
 26. The control system inaccordance with claim 23, wherein: the paver vehicle includes arotatable auger connected with the tractor for spreading paving materialacross the base surface and a conveyor mounted on the tractor andconfigured for transporting paving material toward the screed; and saidcontroller is connected with said rotatable auger and with said conveyorand said controller increases the speed of said rotatable auger and thespeed of said conveyor when the tractor sped is increased and decreasesthe speed of said rotatable auger and the speed of said conveyor whenthe tractor speed is decreased.
 27. The control system in accordancewith claim 23, wherein said temperature sensor is a non-contacttemperature sensor.
 28. The control system in accordance with claim 23,wherein said temperature sensor is a thermal imager.
 29. The controlsystem in accordance with claim 23, wherein said temperature sensor is athermal scanner configured to sense formed material mat temperature at aplurality of locations on a section of the formed material mat.
 30. Thecontrol system in accordance with claim 23, further comprising a displaydevice disposed on the paver vehicle, said display device iselectrically connected with said controller and said thermal scannertransmits a plurality of electrical signals to said controller, each ofsaid plurality of electrical signals being representative of the sensedmaterial mat temperature at a particular location on the formed materialmat, and said controller generates a graphical image on said displaydevice corresponding to said plurality of electrical signals, thegraphical image being representative of the sensed formed material mattemperature at a plurality of formed material mat locations so as toprovide a viewable thermal profile of the formed material mat section.31. A control system in accordance with claim 23 further comprising, adisplay device disposed on the paver vehicle and electrically connectedwith said temperature sensor; said display device receives saidelectrical signal from said temperature sensor and displays a graphicalimage from said electrical signal, the graphical image beingrepresentative of sensed temperature.
 32. The control system inaccordance with claim 31, further comprising: a position sensor disposedon the paver vehicle, said position sensor configured to sense theposition of the paver vehicle with respect to the base surface; andmeans for correlating sensed paver vehicle position with sensed formedmaterial mat temperature and for providing the sensed formed materialmat temperature for a particular sensed paver vehicle position; anddatabase means for storing the sensed formed material mat temperatureand sensed paver vehicle position information.
 33. The control system inaccordances with claim 31, wherein said temperature sensor is a thermalimager.
 34. The control system in accordance with claim 32, wherein saidtemperature sensor is a thermal scanner configured to sense thetemperature at a plurality of locations on the formed material mat andgenerating a plurality of electrical signals, each of said plurality ofelectrical signals being representative of the sensed formed materialmat temperature at a particular sensed paver vehicle position.
 35. Thecontrol system in accordance with claim 34, wherein said display devicereceives said plurality of electrical signals and generates and displaysa graphical image representative of a sensed thermal profile of asection of the formed material mat based on said plurality of signals,the formed material mat section including a plurality of sensed formedmaterial mat locations.
 36. The control system in accordance with claim35, wherein: the paver vehicle forms the formed material mat as thepaver vehicle travels generally in a single direction such that theformed material mat is formed as a continuous strip having a widthtransverse to the direction of travel of the paver vehicle; said thermalscanner repeatedly scanning across at least a portion of the width ofthe formed material mat so as to periodically sense the formed materialmat temperature at successive sections of the formed material mat alongthe direction of travel of the paver vehicle; and said display deviceperiodically updating the graphical image to represent the formedmaterial mat temperature at successive sections of the formed materialmat.
 37. The control system in accordance with claim 31, wherein saiddisplay device is a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device or a liquidcrystal display (LCD) display device.
 38. A control system in accordancewith claim 23 further comprising: a tractor and a screed connected withthe tractor, the screed being configured to form paving materialdeposited off of the tractor into a formed material mat ;and means forvarying the compressive force exerted by the screed on the formedmaterial mat; wherein said controller operates said means for varyingthe compressive force exerted by the screed on the formed material matin accordance with a predetermined relationship between sensed formedmaterial mat temperature and the compressive force exerted by thescreed.
 39. The control system in accordance with claim 38, wherein thescreed includes a screed plate, said means for varying the compressiveforce exerted by the screed on the formed material mat is a vibratordevice mounted on the screed plate which is operable at variousfrequencies and said controller increases the vibration frequency ofsaid vibrator device when the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow a first selected temperature value and decreases the vibrationfrequency of said vibrator device when the sensed formed material mattemperature is above a second selected temperature value.
 40. Thecontrol system in accordance with claim 38, wherein the screed includesa screed plate, said means for varying the compressive force exerted bythe screed on the formed material mat is a vibrator device mounted onthe screed plate that is operable at various amplitudes and saidcontroller increases the amplitude of said vibrator device when thesensed formed material mat temperature is below a first selectedtemperature value and decreases the amplitude of said vibrator devicewhen the sensed formed material mat temperature is above a secondselected temperature value.
 41. The control system in accordance withclaim 38, wherein said means for varying the compressive force exertedby the screed on the formed material mat is a tamper bar that isoperable at various frequencies and said controller increases thefrequency of said tamper bar when the sensed formed material mattemperature is below a first selected temperature value and decreasesthe frequency of the tamper bar when the sensed formed material mattemperature is above a second selected temperature value.
 42. Thecontrol system in accordance with claim 38, wherein said means forvarying the compressive force exerted by the screed on the formedmaterial mat is a tamper bar that is operable at various amplitudes andsaid controller increases the amplitude of said tamper bar when thesensed formed material mat temperature is below a first selectedtemperature value and decreases the amplitude of the tamper bar when thesensed formed material mat temperature is above a second selectedtemperature value.
 43. The control system in accordance with claim 38,wherein said means for varying the compressive force exerted by thescreed on the formed material mat includes a hydraulic cylinderextending between the tractor and the screed and said hydraulic cylindervertically displaces the screed plate and said controller extends saidhydraulic cylinder when the sensed formed material mat temperature isbelow a first selected temperature value and retracts said hydrauliccylinder when the sensed formed material mat temperature is above asecond selected temperature value.
 44. The control system in accordancewith claim 38, wherein said temperature sensor is a non-contacttemperature sensor.
 45. The control system in accordance with claim 38,wherein said temperature sensor is a thermal imager.
 46. The controlsystem in accordance with claim 38, wherein said temperature sensor is athermal scanner that senses the formed material mat temperature at aplurality of locations on a section of the formed material mat.
 47. Thecontrol system in accordance with claim 46, further comprising a displaydevice disposed on the paver vehicle, said display device iselectrically connected with said controller and said thermal scannertransmits a plurality of electrical signals to said controller, each ofsaid plurality of electrical signals being representative of the sensedformed material mat temperature at a particular location on said formedmaterial mat, and said controller generates a graphical image on saiddisplay device corresponding to said plurality of electrical signals,said graphical image being representative of the sensed formed materialmat temperature at a plurality of formed material mat locations so as toprovide a viewable thermal profile of the formed material mat section.